Beyond the visible
Quantum science is unlocking a new era of discovery, revealing the universe at scales once thought beyond our reach. At its heart lies quantum mechanics, the study of the incredibly small but immensely powerful subatomic world. The term "quantum" comes from the Latin word for "how much", aptly describing the smallest measurable units of physical phenomena. In this fascinating realm, these tiny particles form the fundamental building blocks of everything in the universe, shaping the very fabric of reality itself.
Quantum physics has transcended academia to shape the technologies we depend upon daily. Semiconductors, lasers, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are all direct offshoots of quantum discoveries. Recent Nobel Prize-winning breakthroughs in quantum entanglement and computing have propelled this science from theory to reality.
Quantum technologies stand poised to reshape our world, from the way we compute and communicate to how we protect our planet and improve public welfare. It holds immense potential to address the most pressing challenges facing society today. In the coming years, quantum technologies are expected to drive transformative advances in environmental sensing, public health, and climate change mitigation.
Quantum computing
- What it is: A powerful form of computing that uses quantum bits (qubits) instead of traditional bits (only 0 or 1). This approach harnesses phenomena like superposition and entanglement to handle many calculations simultaneously.
- Why it matters: Quantum computers excel at solving certain problems鈥攕uch as complex optimisation or simulating molecular interactions鈥攎uch faster than classical machines. This speed-up can revolutionise areas like pharmaceutical research, climate modelling, and supply chain logistics.
- Example in action: Pharmaceutical companies can use quantum computers to simulate how potential drugs might interact with complex molecules in the human body, speeding up the drug development process.
Quantum communications
- What it is: Quantum science is revolutionising communications through technologies like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for secure encryption and quantum networks that use entangled particles for advanced data exchange.
- Why it matters: These advancements provide unprecedented data security, essential for protecting sensitive information, and lay the foundation for a more efficient and secure communication infrastructure.
- Example in action: Researchers at the University of Geneva successfully demonstrated secure quantum key distribution over fibre optic cables, showcasing its potential for safeguarding communications in everyday applications like banking and medical data transfer.
Quantum sensing
- What it is: Highly precise sensors that exploit quantum effects to measure tiny changes in physical parameters like magnetic or gravitational fields.
- Why it matters: They can detect issues or changes earlier and more accurately than traditional sensors, which has huge benefits for healthcare, environmental monitoring, and more.
- Example in action: A quantum-based medical scanner could pinpoint changes in blood flow or detect early signs of neurodegenerative diseases, leading to quicker diagnoses and treatments.
